Anode target, ray light source, computed tomography scanning device, and imaging method

ABSTRACT

An anode target comprises: a plurality of target structures, used for receiving an electron beam emitted by a cathode to generate a ray, the plurality of target structures being of three-dimensional structures having bevels; a copper cooling body, used for bearing the target structures and comprising an oxygen-free copper cooling body; a cooling oil tube, used for cooling the anode target; and a shielding layer, used for achieving a shielding effect and comprising a tungsten shielding layer. The anode target, the ray light source, the computed tomography scanning device, and the imaging method in the present application are able to enable all target spots on the anode target to be distributed on a straight line, imaging quality of a ray system is improved, and complexity of an imaging system is reduced.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is the 371 application of PCT Application No.PCT/CN2018/089509, filed on Jun. 1, 2018, which is based upon and claimspriority to Chinese Patent Application No. CN201711136934.8, filed onSep. 18, 2017 and Chinese Patent Application No. CN201710842782.7, filedon Sep. 18, 2017, the entire contents of all of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

X-rays have a wide range of applications in industrial non-destructivetesting, safety inspection, medical diagnosis and treatment, and so on.In particular, X-ray fluoroscopic imaging devices utilizing highpenetrating capability of X-rays play an important role in every aspectof people's daily life. In the early days, such devices are film-typeplanar fluoroscopy imaging devices. With the current advancedtechnologies, they include digital, multi-view and high-resolutionstereo imaging devices, such as Computed. Tomography (CT) imagingdevice, which can obtain three-dimensional graphics or slice images ofhigh-definition, and have become an advanced high-end application. Inthe existing CT devices, the X-ray generating device needs to move on aslip ring. In order to improve the inspection speed, the movement speedof the X-ray generating device is usually very high, resulting in adecrease in the reliability and stability of the overall device. Inaddition, the inspection speed of the CT is limited due to the limitingof the movement speed, and as a result, the inspection efficiency islow. In addition, the movement of the X-ray source of such device on theslip ring causes that the focus of the equivalent X-ray light sourcebecomes large, and thus there are motion artifacts in the imagedpictures, the imaged pictures is of poor definition, and there is apossibility of missing detection of some smaller contrabands. Also, suchdevices can only inspect stationary (or slowly moving) objects, and forthe moving objects, it is almost impossible to form a three-dimensionalimage.

In the prior art, hot cathodes are used as electron-emitting units, andthe hot cathodes are arranged in an array. The voltage between the hotcathode and a gate is used to control the emission of electrons, therebycontrolling each of the cathodes to emit electrons in sequence so as tobombard target spots on an anode in the respective positions of thesequence, and thus a distributed X-ray source is formed. By replacingthe mechanical rotation of the spiral CT with an electronicallycontrolled switch, the X-ray source can be quickly generated frommultiple view angles, so that the imaging can be performed rapidly fromvarious angles. Compared with the previous methods, such method cangreatly improve the inspection efficiency and the definition of theimages, and is of simple structure, system stability and highreliability. However, the existing CT devices can only output a singleenergy level of high-energy ray beams, which does not satisfy varioususage requirements.

Therefore, there is a need for a new anode target, ray light source,computer tomography device, and imaging method.

The information disclosed in Background is only for understanding of thebackground of the present disclosure, and thus may include informationthat does not constitute prior art known to those of ordinary skilled inthe art.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, the present disclosure provides an anode target, aray light source, a computer tomography device, and an imaging method,which can provide dual-energy distributed ray imaging data and improvethe imaging quality of the ray system.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparentfrom the following detailed description, or acquired in part by thepractice of the present disclosure.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided ananode target including: a first anode target, configured to cause, by afirst voltage bearing thereon, electron beams emitted from cathodes togenerate first rays on target spots of the first anode target; a secondanode target, configured to cause, by a second voltage bearing thereon,the electron beams emitted from the cathodes to generate second rays ontarget spots of the second anode target; and a ceramic body, configuredto isolate the first anode target from the second anode target.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, it furtherincludes: a cooling oil tube, configured to cool the first anode targetand the second anode target; and a shielding layer, configured to shieldrays generated by the anode targets.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the ceramic bodyincludes a metallized ceramic body.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first anodetarget, the second anode target, and the metallized ceramic body areconnected by gold-copper welding.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cathodes arearranged on two sides of the anode targets in a staggered manner.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided aray light source including: cathode assemblies, configured to emitelectron beams; and an anode assembly, configured to receive theelectron beams from the cathode assemblies and generate a light raysource; wherein the anode assembly includes an anode target, the anodetarget including: a first anode target, configured to cause, by a firstvoltage bearing thereon, the electron beams emitted from cathodes togenerate first rays on target spots of the first anode target; a secondanode target, configured to cause, by a second voltage bearing thereon,the electron beams emitted from the cathodes to generate second rays ontarget spots of the second anode target; and a ceramic body, configuredto isolate the first anode target from the second anode target.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cathodeassemblies are arranged on two sides of the anode targets of the anodeassembly in a staggered manner.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided acomputer tomography device including: cathode assemblies, configured toemit electron beams; and an anode assembly, configured to receive theelectron beams from the cathode assemblies and generate a light raysource; wherein the anode assembly includes an anode target, the anodetarget including: a first anode target, configured to cause, by a firstvoltage bearing thereon, electron beams emitted from cathodes togenerate first rays on target spots of the first anode target; a secondanode target, configured to cause, by a second voltage bearing thereon,the electron beams emitted from the cathodes to generate second rays ontarget spots of the second anode target; and a ceramic body, configuredto isolate the first anode target from the second anode target; and animaging device, configured to perform ray imaging with the first raysand the second rays.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the ray imagingincludes dual energy ray imaging.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided animaging method of a computer tomography device including: generatingrays by the computed tomography device, the rays including first raysand second rays; applying the first rays to an object for test togenerate first test data; applying the second rays to the object fortest to generate second test data; and performing ray imaging with thefirst test data and the second test data; wherein, the computertomography device includes: cathode assemblies, configured to emitelectron beams; and an anode assembly, configured to receive theelectron beams from the cathode assemblies and generate a light raysource; wherein the anode assembly includes an anode target, the anodetarget including: a first anode target, configured to cause, by a firstvoltage bearing thereon, electron beams emitted from cathodes togenerate first rays on target spots of the first anode target; a secondanode target, configured to cause, by a second voltage bearing thereon,the electron beams emitted from the cathodes to generate second rays ontarget spots of the second anode target; and a ceramic body, configuredto isolate the first anode target from the second anode target; and animaging device, configured to perform ray imaging with the first raysand the second rays.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the ray imagingincludes dual energy ray imaging.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided ananode target including: a plurality of target structures, configured toreceive electron beams emitted by cathodes to generate rays, a pluralityof target spots being of three-dimensional structures having bevels; acopper cooling body, configured to bear the target structures andinclude an oxygen-free copper cooling body; a cooling oil tube,configured to cool the anode target; and a shielding layer, configuredto achieve a shielding effect and include a tungsten shielding layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, two adjacenttarget structures of the plurality of target structures are arranged ina staggered manner.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, bevels of twoadjacent target structures of the plurality of target structures facetowards opposite directions.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, target spots ofthe target structures arranged in a staggered manner are in the samestraight line.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality oftarget structures are weld to the copper cooling body by braze welding.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided aray light source including: cathode assemblies, configured to emitelectron beams; and an anode assembly, configured to receive theelectron beams from the cathode assemblies and generate a light raysource; wherein the anode assembly includes an anode target, the anodetarget including: a plurality of target structures, configured toreceive electron beams emitted by cathodes to generate rays, theplurality of target structures being of three-dimensional structureshaving bevels; a copper cooling body, configured to bear the targetstructures and include an oxygen-free copper cooling body; a cooling oiltube, configured to cool the anode target; and a shielding layer,configured to achieve a shielding effect and include a tungstenshielding layer.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, cathodes arearranged on both sides of the anode target in a staggered manner.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, two adjacenttarget structures of the plurality of target structures are arranged ina staggered manner.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, target spots ofthe target structures arranged in a staggered manner are in the samestraight line.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a computer tomographydevice is provided, including: cathode assemblies, configured to emitelectron beams; and an anode assembly, configured to receive theelectron beams from the cathode assemblies and generate a light raysource; wherein the anode assembly includes an anode target, the anodetarget including: a plurality of target structures, configured toreceive electron beams emitted by cathodes to generate rays, theplurality of target structures being of three-dimensional structureshaving bevels; a copper cooling body, configured to bear the targetstructures and include an oxygen-free copper cooling body; a cooling oiltube, configured to cool the anode target; and a shielding layer,configured to achieve a shielding effect and include a tungstenshielding layer; and an imaging device, configured to perform rayimaging with the rays.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an imaging method of acomputer tomography device is provided, including: generating rays bythe computed tomography device; applying the rays to an object for testto generate test data; and performing ray imaging directly with the testdata; wherein, the computer tomography device includes: cathodeassemblies, configured to emit electron beams; and an anode assembly,configured to receive the electron beams from the cathode assemblies andgenerate a light ray source; wherein the anode assembly includes ananode target, the anode target including: a plurality of targetstructures, configured to receive electron beams emitted by cathodes togenerate rays, the plurality of target structures being ofthree-dimensional structures having bevels; a copper cooling body,configured to bear the target structures and include an oxygen-freecopper cooling body; a cooling oil tube, configured to cool the anodetarget; and a shielding layer, configured to achieve a shielding effectand include a tungsten shielding layer; and an imaging device,configured to perform ray imaging with the rays.

It should be understood that the above general description and thefollowing detailed description are merely exemplary and are not limitingof the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description ofexemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. It is apparentthat the drawings described below show only some embodiments of thepresent disclosure, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilledin the art from the drawings described herein without creative effort.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an anode target arranged in a singleline in the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an anode target arranged in doublelines in the prior art.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an anode target according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a ray light source according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a computer tomography device accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an imaging method of a computer tomographydevice according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an anode target according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an anode targetaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a top view of an anode target according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a ray light source according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a computer tomography device accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an imaging method of a computer tomographydevice according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments will now be described more comprehensively withreference to the accompanying drawings. However, the exemplaryembodiments can be implemented in a variety of forms and should not beconstrued as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be morecomplete and the idea of the exemplary embodiments will be completelyconveyed to those skilled in this art. The same reference numerals inthe figures denote the same or similar parts, and the repeateddescription thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the described features, structures, or characteristics canbe combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the presentdisclosure. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that thetechnical solutions of the present disclosure can be practiced withoutone or more of the specific details, or can be practiced with othermethods, components, materials, devices, steps, or the like. In otherinstances, well-known methods, devices, implementations or operationsare not shown or described in detail so as to avoid obscuring aspects ofthe present disclosure.

The block diagrams shown in the figures are only functional entities anddo not necessarily correspond to physically or logically separatedentities. That is, these functional entities can be implemented insoftware, implemented in one or more hardware modules or integratedcircuits, or implemented in different networks and/or processor devicesand/or microcontroller devices.

The flowcharts shown in the figures are merely illustrative, and do notnecessarily include all of the contents and operations/steps, and arenot necessarily performed in the order described. For example, some ofthe operations/steps can be decomposed, and some of the operations/stepscan be combined or partially combined, and thus the actual executionorder may vary depending on the actual situation.

It will be understood that, although the terms of first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these componentsare not limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish onecomponent from another. Accordingly, the first component discussed belowcan be referred to as a second component without departing from theteaching of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or”encompasses any and all combinations of one or more of the associateditems listed.

Those skilled in the art can understand that the figures are onlyschematic diagrams of the exemplary embodiments, and the modules or theprocesses in the figures are not necessarily required to implement thepresent disclosure, and thus cannot be used to limit the scope of thepresent disclosure.

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described indetail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an anode target arranged in a singleline in the prior art.

In the prior art, the anode target arranged in a single row is shown inFIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a structure of a conventional distributed X-raylight source. The anode target includes oxygen-free copper as a base,and a rhenium-tungsten target welded on the oxygen-free copper as targetmaterial. A cooling loop is provided on the oxygen-free copper forcooling the anode target. Electron guns are evenly arranged on one sideof the anode target, and the electron beams emitted from the electronguns drift toward the anode under an acceleration of anode electricfield, and finally bombard the rhenium-tungsten target to generateX-rays. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of anode targets arranged indouble lines in the prior art.

In the structure of the CT imaging device in the prior art as describedabove, in order to improve the imaging quality of the distributed lightsource, it is generally required that the number of light sources in thedistributed light source is from several tens to several hundreds(determined as needed). Affected by the size of the cathode and theprocessing of the cathode assembly, currently the minimum diameter ofthe cathode assembly is about 16 mm, and leaving a small margin, thecathode assemblies are usually arranged at a spacing of 20 mm. In alight source with a length of 1 (one) meter, 50 cathode assemblies canbe arranged. One cathode assembly produces a target spot on the anodetarget, thereby forming 50 light sources. If more light sources areneeded, the cathodes can be staggered on both sides of the anodetargets, and the electron beams emitted by the cathodes strike on bothsides of the anode target, thereby doubling the density of the lightsources. In order to increase the density of the light sources, theelectron guns can be arranged on both sides of the anode targets, asshown in FIG. 2. This structure can double the intensity of the lightsource to meet the requirements in most occasions.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an anode target according to anexemplary embodiment.

Based on the anode target of the double line arrangement describedabove, in some embodiments, the applicant of the present application hasdiscovered that, in some cases, there is an requirement for an imagingdevice to simultaneously output X-ray light sources in two energylevels, i.e., to provide dual energy distributed X-ray light source, soas to improve the resolution of the X-ray imaging system. According toan aspect of the present disclosure, there is proposed an anode target10 including a first anode target 102, a second anode target 104 and aceramic body 106.

The first anode target 102 is configured to cause, by a first voltagebearing thereon, electron beams emitted from cathodes to generate firstrays on target spots of the first anode target. The first voltage can bea high voltage of, for example, 90 kV, and the first rays generated fromthe electron beams emitted from the cathodes on the first anode targetcan be, for example, X-rays having a first energy level.

The second anode target 104 is configured to cause, by a second voltagebearing thereon, the electron beams emitted from the cathodes togenerate second rays on target spots of the second anode target. Thesecond voltage can be a high voltage of, for example, 180 kV, and thesecond rays generated from the electron beams emitted from the cathodeson the second anode target can be, for example, X-rays having a secondenergy level.

The first voltage and the second voltage can also be high voltages ofthe same magnitude, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The ceramic body 106 is configured to isolate the first anode target 102from the second anode target 104. The ceramic body 106 includes ametallized ceramic body. The first anode target 102, the second anodetarget 104, and the metallized ceramic body are connected by gold-copperwelding. The first anode target 102, the second anode target 104, andthe metallized ceramic body are gold-copper weld and integrated into oneentity, which is convenient for installation and debugging.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, it furtherincludes a cooling oil tube 108 configured to cool the first anodetarget and the second anode target.

A shielding layer (not shown) is configured to shield rays generated bythe anode targets.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cathodes arearranged on two sides of the anode targets in a staggered manner.

According to the anode target of the present disclosure, the anodetarget is divided into two parts by ceramic isolation, and the anodetarget parts on the two sides can be respectively applied with differenthigh voltages. Accordingly, the electron beams emitted from the cathodeson the two sides of the anode target bombard on the two sides of theanode targets to generate two types of X-rays with different energylevels, thereby generating dual-energy distributed X-rays, which canprovide dual-energy distributed ray imaging data and improve the imagingquality of the ray system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a ray light source according to anexemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ray light source 20 includes cathode assemblies202 and an anode assembly 204.

The cathode assemblies 202 are configured to emit electron beams whichbombard towards the anode assembly 204 by attraction of a voltage.

The anode assembly 204 is configured to receive the electron beams fromthe cathode assemblies and to form a ray light source by interaction ofthe electron beam with the anode target.

The anode assembly includes the anode target 10, and the anode targetincludes a first anode target 102, a second anode target 104 and aceramic body 106.

The first anode target 102 is configured to cause, by a first voltage,electron beams emitted from cathodes to generate first rays on targetspots of the first anode target. The first voltage can be a high voltageof, for example, 90 kV, and the first rays generated by the electronbeams emitted from the cathodes on the first anode target can be, forexample, X-rays having a first energy level.

The second anode target 104 is configured to cause, by a second voltage,the electron beams emitted from the cathodes to generate second rays ontarget spots of the second anode target. The second voltage can be ahigh voltage of, for example, 180 kV, and the second rays generated bythe electron beams emitted from the cathodes on the second anode targetcan be, for example, X-rays having a second energy level.

The first voltage and the second voltage can also be high voltages ofthe same magnitude, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The ceramic body 106 is configured to isolate the first anode target 102from the second anode target 104. The ceramic body 106 includes ametallized ceramic body. The first anode target 102, the second anodetarget 104, and the metallized ceramic body are connected by gold-copperwelding. The first anode target 102, the second anode target 104, andthe metallized ceramic body are gold-copper weld and integrated into oneentity, which is convenient for installation and debugging. In anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cathode assembliesare arranged on the two sides of the anode targets of the node assemblyin a staggered manner.

According to the ray light source of the present disclosure, theelectron beams are generated by the cathode assemblies, and are receivedby the anode assembly. The anode target is divided into two parts byceramic isolation in the anode assembly, and the anode target parts onthe two sides can be respectively applied with different high voltages.Accordingly, the electron beams emitted from the cathodes on the twosides of the anode target bombard on the two sides of the anode targetso as to generate two types of X-rays of different energy levels,thereby generating dual-energy distributed X-rays, which can provide thedual-energy distributed ray light source and improve the imaging qualityof the ray system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a computer tomography device accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the computer tomography device 30 includes cathodeassemblies 202, an anode assembly 204 and an imaging device 302.

The cathode assemblies 202 are configured to emit electron beams whichbombard towards the anode assembly 204 by attraction of a voltage.

The anode assembly 204 is configured to receive the electron beams fromthe cathode assemblies and to form a ray light source by interaction ofthe electron beam with the anode target.

The anode assembly includes an anode target 10, and the anode targetincludes a first anode target 102, a second anode target 104 and aceramic body 106.

The first anode target 102 is configured to cause, by a first voltage,electron beams emitted from cathodes to generate first rays on targetspots of the first anode target. The first voltage can be a high voltageof, for example, 90 kV, and the first rays generated from the electronbeams emitted from the cathodes on the first anode target can be, forexample, an X-rays having a first energy level.

The second anode target 104 is configured to cause, by a second voltagebearing thereon, the electron beams emitted from the cathodes togenerate second rays on target spots of the second anode target. Thesecond voltage cab be a high voltage of, for example, 180 kV, and thesecond ray generated from the electron beams emitted from the cathodeson the second anode target can be, for example, X-rays having a secondenergy level.

The first voltage and the second voltage can also be high voltages ofthe same magnitude, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The ceramic body 106 is configured to isolate the first anode target 102from the second anode target 104. The ceramic body 106 includes ametallized ceramic body. The first anode target 102, the second anodetarget 104, and the metallized ceramic body are connected by gold-copperwelding. The first anode target 102, the second anode target 104, andthe metallized ceramic body are gold-copper weld and integrated into oneentity, which is convenient for installation and debugging. In anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the cathode assembliesare arranged on the two sides of the anode targets of the node assemblyin a staggered manner.

The imaging device 302 is configured to perform ray imaging with thefirst rays and the second rays. The ray imaging performed by the imagingdevice includes dual energy ray imaging.

According to the computer tomography device of the present disclosure,the electron beams are generated by the cathode assemblies, and arereceived by the anode assembly. The anode target is divided into twoparts by ceramic isolation in the anode assembly, and the anode targetparts on the two sides can be respectively applied with different highvoltages. Accordingly, the electron beams emitted from the cathodes onthe two sides of the anode target bombard on the two sides of the anodetarget so as to generate two types of X-rays of different energy levels,thereby generating dual-energy distributed X-rays. The imaging deviceperforms the ray imaging by using the dual energy distributed X-rays,which can provide the dual-energy ray imaging and improve the imagingquality of the ray system.

It will be clearly understood that the present disclosure describes howto make and use particular examples, but the principles of the presentdisclosure are not limited to the details of the examples. Rather, theseprinciples can be applied to many other embodiments based on theteaching of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an imaging method of a computer tomographydevice according to an exemplary embodiment.

In S602, the computer tomography device generates rays including firstrays and second rays. The computer tomography device includes: cathodeassemblies, configured to emit electron beams; and an anode assembly,configured to receive the electron beams from the cathode assemblies andto form a light ray source. The anode assembly includes an anode targetincluding: a first anode target, configured to cause, by a firstvoltage, electron beams emitted from cathodes to generate first rays ontarget spots of the first anode target; a second anode target,configured to cause, by a second voltage bearing thereon, the electronbeams emitted from the cathodes to generate second rays on target spotsof the second anode target; and a ceramic body, configured to isolatethe first anode target from the second anode target.

In S604, the first rays are applied to an object for test so as togenerate first test data.

In S606, the second rays are applied to an object for test so as togenerate second test data.

In S608, ray imaging is performed with the first test data and thesecond test data. The imaging can be performed by for example, animaging device in the computer tomography device, or by for example,other imaging devices, which is not limited by the present disclosure.The ray imaging includes dual energy ray imaging. An imaging calculationcan be performed, for example, by the dual energy imaging methods in theprior art, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the stepsfor implementing the above-described embodiments are implemented as acomputer program executed by a CPU. The computer program, when executedby the CPU, performs the above-described functions defined by theabove-described methods provided in the present disclosure. The programcan be stored in a computer readable storage medium, which can be a readonly memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk or the like.

Further, it should be noted that the above-described drawings are merelyillustration of the processes included in the methods according to theexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended tobe limiting. It is easy to understand that the processes shown in theabove figures does not indicate or limit the temporal order of theseprocesses. In addition, it is also easy to understand that theseprocesses may be performed synchronously or asynchronously, for example,in a plurality of modules.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above variousmodules can be distributed in a device according to the description ofthe embodiments, or can be distributed in one or more devices differentfrom the embodiments by making corresponding change. The modules in theabove embodiments can be combined into one module or can be furtherdivided into a plurality of sub-modules.

Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in theart will readily understand that the exemplary embodiments describedherein may be implemented in software or in a combination of softwarewith necessary hardware components. Therefore, the technical solutionsaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure can be embodied inthe form of a software product, which can be stored in a non-volatilestorage medium (which can be a CD-ROM, a USB flash drive, a mobile harddisk, etc.) or on a network. It includes a number of pieces ofinstructions to cause a computing device (which can be a personalcomputer, a server, a mobile terminal, a network device, or the like.)to perform the methods in accordance with the embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

From the above detailed description, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that the anode target, the ray light source, thecomputer tomography device, and the imaging method according toembodiments of the present disclosure have one or more of the followingadvantages.

According to some embodiments, the anode target of the presentdisclosure is divided into two parts by ceramic isolation, and the anodetarget parts on the two sides can be respectively applied with differenthigh voltages. Accordingly, the electron beams emitted from the cathodeson the two sides of the anode target bombard on the two sides of theanode target so as to generate two types of X-rays of different energylevels, thereby generating dual-energy distributed X-rays, which canprovide dual-energy distributed ray imaging data and improve the imagingquality of the ray system.

According to some other embodiments, in the computer tomography deviceof the present disclosure, the electron beams are generated by thecathode assemblies, and are received by the anode assembly, the rayingimaging is performed by the imaging device, thereby providing thedual-energy ray imaging data and improving the imaging quality of theray system.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an anode target according to anexemplary embodiment.

Based on the anode target of the double line arrangement describedabove, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided an anode target 1000 including a plurality of target structures102 and a cooling oil tube 104.

The plurality of target structures 102 are configured to receiveelectron beams emitted by cathodes so as to generate rays. The pluralityof target structures are of three-dimensional structures having bevels.Two adjacent ones of the plurality of target structures are arranged ina staggered manner. Bevels of two adjacent ones of the plurality oftarget structures 102 face towards opposite directions. Target spots ofthe staggered target structures 102 are in the same straight line. Thetarget structures can be, for example, rhenium tungsten targets. Thetarget structures 102 are configured to carry high voltages that causethe electron beams to generate the rays at the target spots of thetarget structures 102. The high voltage can be, for example, a highvoltage of 90 kV, or can also be, for example, a high voltage of 180 kV,and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The rays generated bythe target structures 102 can be, for example, X-rays, and the generatedX-rays have different energy levels corresponding to different highvoltages, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

A copper cooling body (not shown) is configured to bear the targetstructures and includes an oxygen-free copper cooling body. Theplurality of target structures 102 can be weld to the copper coolingbody by braze welding, for example. The target structures 102 can beweld to the copper cooling body, for example, at the back sides or thebottom sides by one-time welding. A cooling body and a heat-conductingbody of the oxygen-free copper transfer heat deposited on the targetmaterial to a cooling medium to be taken away.

The cooling oil tube 104 is configured to cool the anode target.

A shielding layer (not shown) is configured to achieve a shieldingeffect and includes a tungsten shielding layer. The tungsten shieldinglayer is fixed in an incident direction of the electron beams, forreducing the electric field gradient on the surface of the anode targeton the one hand and for shielding the X-rays exiting from the anodetarget and ensuring that the X-rays only exit right upward and that theX-ray doses in other directions are as small as possible on the otherhand, which reduces the difficulty of shielding the radiation from theentire ray light source.

The electron beams are accelerated by the high voltage of the anode,pass through the tungsten shielding layer, and bombard on the rheniumtungsten target so as to generate the X-rays.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an anode targetaccording to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a top view of ananode target according to an exemplary embodiment. As can be seen, thetwo adjacent rhenium tungsten targets 102 are arranged in a staggeredmanner, and the slopes of the two adjacent rhenium tungsten targets 102face towards opposite directions so as to receive the electrons emittedfrom the electron guns on both sides of the anode targets. The centersof the two anode targets 102 which are arranged in a staggered mannerare in a straight line, and the positions in which the electron beamsbombard the anode targets are also the center positions of the anodetargets 102, so that a distributed X-ray light source having focuses ina straight line can be generated. Such method allows that when theelectron guns are arranged on both sides of the anode targets, theresulting target spots are also in the same line.

According to the anode target of the present disclosure, with the targetstructures having the three-dimensional structures with bevels andarranged in a staggered manner, it is enabled that the target spots ofthe electrons emitted from the cathodes arranged on both sides of theanode targets which bombard on the anode targets are all distributed ina straight line, so that when the electron guns are arranged on bothsides of the anode targets, the resulting target spots are also in thesame line, thereby improving the imaging quality of the ray system, andsimplifying the complexity of the imaging system.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a ray light source according to anexemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the ray light source 2000 includes cathodeassemblies 202 configured to emit electron beams which are shot towardsan anode assembly 204 by attraction of a voltage.

The anode assembly 204 is configured to receive the electron beams fromthe cathode assemblies so as to generate a ray light source byinteraction of the electron beams with an anode target.

The anode assembly includes an anode target 1000, and the anode targetincludes a plurality of target structures 102 and a cooling oil tube104.

The plurality of target structures 102 are configured to receiveelectron beams emitted by cathodes so as to generate rays. The pluralityof target spots are of three-dimensional structures having bevels. Twoadjacent ones of the plurality of target structures are arranged in astaggered manner. Bevels of two adjacent ones of the plurality of targetstructures 102 face towards opposite directions. Target spots of thestaggered target structures 102 are in the same straight line. Thetarget structures can be, for example, rhenium tungsten targets. Thetarget structures 102 are configured to carry high voltages that causethe electron beams to generate the rays at the target spots of thetarget structures 102. The high voltage can be, for example, a highvoltage of 90 kV, or can be, for example, a high voltage of 180 kV, andthe present disclosure is not limited thereto. The rays generated by thetarget structures 102 can be, for example, an X-ray, and the generatedX-rays have different energy levels corresponding to different highvoltages, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

A copper cooling body (not shown) is configured to bear the targetstructures and includes an oxygen-free copper cooling body. Theplurality of target structures 102 can be weld to the copper coolingbody by braze welding, for example. The target structures 102 can beweld to the copper cooling body, for example, at the back sides or thebottom sides by one-time welding. A cooling body and a heat conductingbody of the oxygen-free copper transfer heat deposited on the targetmaterial to a cooling medium to be taken away.

The cooling oil tube 104 is configured to cool the anode target.

A shielding layer (not shown) is configured to achieve a shieldingeffect and includes a tungsten shielding layer. The tungsten shieldinglayer is fixed in an incident direction of the electron beam, forreducing the electric field gradient on the surface of the anode targeton the one hand, and for shielding the X-rays exiting from the anodetarget and ensuring that the X-rays only exit right upward, and that theX-ray doses in other directions are as small as possible on the otherhand, which reduces the difficulty of shielding the radiation from theentire ray light source.

According to the ray light source of the present disclosure, theelectron beams are generated by the cathode assemblies, and tarereceived by the anode assembly, and with the target structures havingthe three-dimensional structures with bevels and arranged in a staggeredmanner, it is enabled that all the target spots on the anode target aredistributed in a straight line, so that when the electron guns arearranged on both sides of the anode targets, the resulting target spotsare also in the same line, thereby improving the imaging quality of theray system, and simplifying the complexity of the imaging system.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a computer tomography device accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, the computer tomography device 3000 includescathode assemblies 202, an anode assembly 204, and an imaging device302.

The cathode assemblies 202 are configured to emit electron beams whichare shot towards the anode assembly 204 by attraction of a voltage.

The anode assembly 204 is configured to receive the electron beams fromthe cathode assemblies so as to generate a ray light source byinteraction of the electron beam with an anode target.

The anode assembly includes an anode target 1000, and the anode targetincludes a plurality of target structures 102 and a cooling oil tube104.

The plurality of target structures 102 are configured to receiveelectron beams emitted by cathodes so as to generate rays. A pluralityof target spots are of three-dimensional structures having bevels. Twoadjacent ones of the plurality of target structures are arranged in astaggered manner. Bevels of two adjacent ones of the plurality of targetstructures 102 face towards opposite directions. Target spots of thestaggered target structures 102 in the same straight line. The targetstructures can be, for example, rhenium tungsten targets. The targetstructures 102 are configured to carry high voltages that cause theelectron beams to generate the rays at the target spots of the targetstructures 102. The high voltage can be, for example, a high voltage of90 kV, or can be, for example, a high voltage of 180 kV, and the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto. The rays generated by the targetstructures 102 can be, for example, X-rays, and the generated X-rayshave different energy levels corresponding to different high voltages,and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

A copper cooling body (not shown) is configured to bear targetstructures and includes an oxygen-free copper cooling body. Theplurality of target structures 102 can be weld to the copper coolingbody by braze welding, for example. The target structures 102 can beweld to the copper cooling body, for example, at the back sides or thebottom sides by one-time welding. A cooling body and a heat conductingbody of the oxygen-free copper transfer heat deposited on the targetmaterial to a cooling medium to be taken way.

The cooling oil tube 104 is configured to cool the anode target.

A shielding layer (not shown) is configured to achieve a shieldingeffect and includes a tungsten shielding layer. The tungsten shieldinglayer is fixed in an incident direction of the electron beams, forreducing the electric field gradient on the surface of the anode targeton the one hand and for shielding the X-rays exiting from the anodetarget and ensuring that the X-rays only exit righty upward and that theX-ray doses in other directions are as small as possible on the otherhand, which reduces the difficulty of shielding the radiation from theentire ray light source.

The imaging device 302 is configured to perform ray imaging with thefirst rays and the second rays. The ray imaging performed by the imagingdevice includes dual energy ray imaging.

According to the computer tomography device of the present disclosure,the electron beams are generated by the cathode assemblies, and arereceived by the anode assembly, and with the target structures havingthe three-dimensional structures with bevels and arranged in a staggeredmanner, it is enabled that all the target spots on the anode targets aredistributed in a straight line, so that when the electron guns arearranged on both sides of the anode targets, the resulting target spotsare also in the same line, and then the ray imaging is performed by theimaging device, thereby improving the imaging quality of the ray system,and simplifying the complexity of the imaging system.

It will be clearly understood that the present disclosure describes howto make and use particular examples, but the principles of the presentdisclosure are not limited to the details of the examples. Rather, theseprinciples can be applied to many other embodiments based on theteachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an imaging method of a computer tomographydevice according to an exemplary embodiment.

In S802, the computer tomography device generates rays. The computertomography device includes: cathode assemblies, configured to emitelectron beams; and an anode assembly, configured to receive theelectron beams from the cathode assemblies and generate a ray lightsource. The anode assembly includes an anode target, the anode targetincluding: a plurality of target structures, configured to receiveelectron beams emitted by cathodes to generate a rays, the plurality oftarget structures being of three-dimensional structures having bevels; acopper cooling body, configured to bear the target structures andinclude an oxygen-free copper cooling body; a cooling oil tube,configured to cool the anode target; and a shielding layer, configuredto achieve a shielding effect and include a tungsten shielding layer.

In S804, the rays are applied to an object for test to generate testdata.

In S806, a ray imaging is performed by a ray imaging device directlywith the test data. The imaging can be performed by for example, animaging device in the computer tomography device, or by for example,other imaging devices, which is not limited by the present disclosure.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or a portion of thesteps for implementing the above-described embodiments are implementedas a computer program executed by a CPU. The computer program, whenbeing executed by the CPU, performs the above-described functionsdefined by the above-described methods provided by the presentdisclosure. The program can be stored in a computer readable storagemedium which can be a read only memory, a magnetic disk, an optical diskor the like.

Further, it should be noted that the above-described drawings are merelyillustrative of the processes included in the methods according to theexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended tobe limiting. It is easy to understand that the processes shown in theabove figures do not indicate or limit the temporal order of theseprocesses. In addition, it is also easy to understand that theseprocesses can be performed synchronously or asynchronously, for example,in a plurality of modules.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above variousmodules can be distributed in a device according to the description ofthe embodiments, or can be distributed in one or more devices differentfrom the embodiments by making corresponding change. The modules in theabove embodiments can be combined into one module or can be furtherdivided into a plurality of sub-modules.

Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in theart will readily understand that the exemplary embodiments describedherein can be implemented by software or by a combination of softwarewith necessary hardware components. Therefore, the technical solutionsaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure can be embodied inthe form of a software product, which can be stored in a non-volatilestorage medium (which can be a CD-ROM, a USB flash drive, a mobile harddisk, etc.) or on a network. A number of pieces of instructions areincluded to cause a computing device (which can be a personal computer,server, mobile terminal, or network device, etc.) to perform the methodsin accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure.

From the above detailed description, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that the anode target, the ray light source, thecomputer tomography device, and the imaging method according toembodiments of the present disclosure have one or more of the followingadvantages.

According to some embodiments, with the target structures having thethree-dimensional structures with bevels and arranged in a staggeredmanner, the anode target of the present disclosure enables that thetarget spots on the anode target are all distributed in a straight line,so that when the electron guns are arranged on both sides of the anodetarget, the resulting target spots are also in the same line, therebyimproving the imaging quality of the ray system, and simplifying thecomplexity of the imaging system.

According to some other embodiments, the ray light source of the presentdisclosure generates the electron beams by the cathode assemblies, andreceives the electron beams by the anode assembly, and with the targetstructures having the three-dimensional structures with bevels andarranged in a staggered manner, it is enabled that the target spots onthe anode target are all distributed in a straight line, so that whenthe electron guns are arranged on both sides of the anode target, theresulting target spots are also in the same line, thereby improving theimaging quality of the ray system, and simplifying the complexity of theimaging system.

According to still further embodiments, the computer tomography deviceof the present disclosure generates the electron beams by the cathodeassemblies, and receives the electron beams by the anode assembly, andwith the target structures having the three-dimensional structures withbevels and arranged in a staggered manner, it is enabled that all thetarget spots on the anode targets are distributed in a straight line, sothat when the electron guns are arranged on both sides of the anodetarget, the resulting target spots are also in the same line, and thenthe ray imaging is performed by the imaging device, thereby improvingthe imaging quality of the ray system, and simplifying the complexity ofthe imaging system.

The anode target structure of the present disclosure can double theintensity of the light sources and improve the imaging quality of thesystem.

According to the anode target, the ray light source, the computertomography device, and the imaging method of the present disclosure, itis possible to provide dual energy ray imaging data, thereby improvingthe imaging quality of the ray system.

The present disclosure also provides a anode target, a ray light source,a computer tomography device, and an imaging method, so that the targetspots on which the X-rays emitted from the cathodes arranged on bothsides of the anode targets bombard the anode target are all distributedin a straight line, thereby improving the intensity of the lightsources, improving the imaging quality of the ray system, andsimplifying the complexity of the imaging system.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparentfrom the following detailed description, or learned in part by thepractice of the present disclosure.

The anode target, the distributed X-ray light source, the computertomography device and the imaging method according to the presentdisclosure enable the target spots on which the electrons emitted fromthe cathodes arranged on both sides of the anode targets bombard theanode target are all distributed in a straight line, thereby improvingthe imaging quality of the ray system, and simplifying the complexity ofthe imaging system.

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have beenparticularly shown and described above. It is to be understood that thepresent disclosure is not limited to the detailed structures,arrangements, or implementations described herein; rather, the presentdisclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalentarrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In addition, the structures, the proportions, the sizes, and the likeshown in the drawings of the present specification are only used to workin with the contents disclosed in the specification, can be understoodand read by those skilled in the art, and are not intended to limit theconditions in which the present disclosure can be implemented and thusit does not have any technical significance. Any modification to thestructures, change in the proportional relationship or adjustment of thesize, without affecting the technical effects and the objectives thatcan be achieved in the present disclosure, should still fall within thescope that can be covered by the technical content disclosed in thepresent disclosure. In the meantime, the terms, such as “upper”,“first”, “second”, “a”, “an” and so on referred to in the descriptionare also for the convenience of description, and are not intended tolimit the scope of the disclosure. The change or adjustment of therelative relationship is also considered to be in the scope in which thepresent disclosure can be implemented without substantial changes in thetechnical content.

1. An anode target, comprising: a plurality of target structures,configured to receive electron beams emitted by cathodes to generaterays, the plurality of target structures being of three-dimensionalstructures having bevels; a copper cooling body, configured to bear thetarget structures and include an oxygen-free copper cooling body; acooling oil tube, configured to cool the anode target; and a shieldinglayer, configured to achieve a shielding effect and include a tungstenshielding layer.
 2. The anode target of claim 1, wherein, arranging twoadjacent target structures of the plurality of target structures arearranged in a staggered manner.
 3. The anode target of claim 1, wherein,the bevels of two adjacent target structures of the plurality of targetstructures face towards opposite directions.
 4. The anode target ofclaim 2, wherein, target spots of the target structures arranged in astaggered manner are in the same straight line.
 5. The anode target ofclaim 1, wherein material of the target structures includesrhenium-tungsten material.
 6. The anode target of claim 1, wherein theplurality of target structures are weld to the copper cooling body bybraze welding.
 7. A ray light source, comprising: cathode assemblies,configured to emit electron beams; and an anode assembly, configured toreceive the electron beams from the cathode assemblies and generate aray light source; wherein the anode assembly includes an anode target,and the anode target includes: a plurality of target structures,configured to receive the electron beams emitted by cathode assembliesto generate rays, the plurality of target structures being ofthree-dimensional structures having bevels; a copper cooling body,configured to bear the target structures and include an oxygen-freecopper cooling body; a cooling oil tube, configured to cool the anodetarget; and a shielding layer, configured to achieve a shielding effectand include a tungsten shielding layer.
 8. The ray light source of claim7, wherein the number of the cathode assemblies are equal to or morethan two, and the two or more cathode assemblies are arranged on bothsides of the anode target in a staggered manner.
 9. The ray light sourceof claim 7, wherein two adjacent target structures of the plurality oftarget structures are arranged in a staggered manner.
 10. The ray lightsource of claim 79, wherein target spots of the target structuresarranged in the staggered manner are in the same straight line.
 11. Acomputer tomography device, comprising: cathode assemblies, configuredto emit electron beams; an anode assembly, configured to receive theelectron beams from the cathode assemblies and generate a ray lightsource, wherein the anode assembly includes an anode target, the anodetarget including: a plurality of target structures, configured toreceive the electron beams emitted by the cathode assembly to generaterays, the plurality of target structures being of three-dimensionalstructures having bevels; a copper cooling body, configured to bear thetarget structures and include an oxygen-free copper cooling body; acooling oil tube, configured to cool the anode target; and a shieldinglayer, configured to achieve a shielding effect and include a tungstenshielding layer; and an imaging device, configured to perform rayimaging with the rays.
 12. The computer tomography device of claim 11,wherein the number of the cathode assemblies are equal to or more thantwo, and the two or more cathode assemblies are arranged on both sidesof the anode target in a staggered manner.
 13. The computer tomographydevice of claim 11, wherein two adjacent target structures of theplurality of target structures are arranged in a staggered manner. 14.The computer tomography device of claim 13, wherein target spots of thetarget structures arranged in the staggered manner are in the samestraight line.
 15. The computer tomography device of claim 11, whereinthe bevels of two adjacent target structures of the plurality of targetstructures face towards opposite directions.
 16. The computer tomographydevice of claim 11, wherein material of the target structures includesrhenium-tungsten material.
 17. The computer tomography device of claim11, wherein the plurality of target structures are weld to the coppercooling body by braze welding.